Ep 197 - Caolan Rafferty

Move over Rory McIlroy, there’s a new slam winner in town! Caolan Rafferty recently etched his name into Irish golfing history as the first amateur to conquer all four provincial championships, completing the coveted 'Provincial Slam' with a dramatic North of Ireland win at Portstewart in September. And while the Career Grand Slam winners’ club has six members – Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, and now McIlroy – the Irish amateur provincial slam is an exclusive club with only one name on the list: Caolan Rafferty. Ronan sat down with Caolan to look back at his historical year.

On this week's edition of the podcast we discuss the DP World Tour Q-School results and why Ireland seems to be struggling to produce players ready for Europe's top level after three successive years of no cards.The DP World Tour reaches its finale as Rory McIlroy chases a seventh Race to Dubai crown which would move him to within one of Collin Montgomerie's record eighth. Does the Race to Dubai still mean as much? And if so have we given Montgomerie's dominance enough credit given the depth of talent on the old European Tour.There are also card permutations on both sides of the Atlantic as Seamus Power resumes his quest to retain his PGA Tour playing rights as five Irish bid for Alps Tour status. Leona Maguire looks to secure her spot in the LPGA Tour season finale.

On this week's edition of the podcast, we sit down to wax lyrical about Tom McKibbin's superb victory at the Hong Kong Open as he steamrolled to a seven-shot win. This was no ordinary victory, as he secured a Masters debut and a third Open Championship appearance.Meanwhile, Liam Nolan's season came to an end without a DP World Tour card but the glass is half full for the 25-year-old rookie professional. It's the last chance saloon for the Irish at the final stage of Q-School as five hopefuls brace themselves for the six-round marathon at Infinitum, looking to earn cards for the DP World Tour.

On this week's edition of the podcast, Peter and Ronan laud Tom McKibbin's consistency after a fourth-place finish at the Spanish Open, highlighting the consistency he has shown over the last two seasons and why a win surely can't be too far away.It's also crunch time this week for Conor Purcell, Liam Nolan and Max Kennedy with promotion to the DP World Tour and survival on the agenda.

On this week's podcast, Pete and Ronan dig deep into the weekly news from around the world of golf. From Bob MacIntyre's win on home soil at the Dunhill to the McManus and Desmond legacy continuing in the team event. Post the Sutton 9-hole matchplay event, the PGA in Ireland season drew to a close with Simon Thornton claiming the Elavon Order of Merit... but what was the point with the PGA Playoffs now scrapped? We also look at what Conor Purcell, Seamus Power, Liam Nolan, Mx Kenneddy and Leona Maguire need to do on their respective tours to close out their 2025 seasons on a positive note.

This week, we sit and discuss Europe's amazing win at Bethpage. Ronan and Pete dig into everything from Lowry's heroics to McIlroy's abuse, a toothless golf course and the tale of two very different captains. Enjoy!

On this week's podcast, the lads preview all things Ryder Cup in Bethpage. Can Europe get it done, and have we already out-prepared Team USA? We also discuss Caolan Rafferty completing the Irish Championship slam to become the first player to win all four provincial Championships.

This week Pete, Ronan and Mark recap on another iconic Irish Open at The K Club. From Rory's magic eagle to Alex Maguire fist pumping 73's, The 2025 Amgen Irish Open had it all. We also dive into another Walker Cup disappointment at Cyprus Point. Enjoy....

Tommy Fleetwood you’ve bested us again. On this week’s edition of the podcast the lads delve into Tommy Fleetwood’s latest PGA Tour heartbreak as Justin Rose aged like a fine wine and beat JJ Spain in a playoff at the St Jude Championship.There was glory for Robert Moran who chipped in on the 18th at Killeen Castle to finish fourth at the Irish Challenge and earn a spot in next months Amgen Irish Open while Simon Thornton joined Paul McGinley and Philip Walton in winning his fourth Irish PGA Championship at Monkstown.

On this week’s edition of the podcast, the lads are on site in Monkstown Golf Club for the Brown and Brown 115th Irish PGA Championship. Monkstown will provide a stern test of golf as the players prepare for the flagship event of the season. We have preview chats with Niall Kearney, Cormac Sharvin and Head Professional at Monkstown, Cian McNamara before play gets underway on Tuesday. We also recap the AIG Women's Open and Cam Young claiming his first PGA Tour victory.